Craig Brewer Makes 'Tarzan' Deal, Writing Ape Man Saga As Trilogy

EXCLUSIVE: Warner Bros has locked Craig Brewer into a deal to write and direct a new installment of Tarzan. Brewer has come up with a take that tells the Tarzan story over three films. He hopes the first one will be his next directing assignment. Warner Bros, which has been stymied in watching several attempts to relaunch the Edgar Rice Burroughs-created hero die on the vine, separately has screenwriter Adam Cozad working on a script that tells a different version of the man raised by apes in the jungles of Africa from infancy. Cozad’s recent work includes the Jack Ryan reboot and Archangel, the pic that has Tron: Legacy‘s Joseph Kosinski attached. How the studio decides which film to make remains to be seen, but clearly Warner Bros is determined to revive a live action Tarzan. This is a passion project for Brewer, who is in demand after directing the remake of Footloose for Paramount, and chose this over other opportunities. Jerry Weintraub is producing with Alan Riche and Tony Ludwig. Tarzan has been a fixture of films since the Depression, most notably in the series of films that starred Olympic swimmer Johnny Weismuller.

Brewer, whose Footloose will be released October 14 with newcomers Kenny Wormald and Julianne Hough starring, last directed Black Snake Moan and Hustle & Flow. He’s repped by WME.

33 Comments

hiphopcop • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

Tarzan? Really?

korak • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

If these films are fairly faithful to the original books (like the big Pixar Mars movie is supposed to be next year), it will work, because it will be the first time the true story of Burroughs’ Tarzan has been told on the big screen, since the beginning of the talkies with Weissmuller’s alternate universe Tarzan the Ape-Man. Otherwise, probably just some more bad Hollywood movies to throw onto the ever growing pile of bad Tarzan movies. I hope they get it right because it would be the first time Hollywood ever has!

Bear • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

I agree. There hasn’t been a proper Tarzan movie made yet

tom • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

As long as Tarzan is a ninja warrior… has secret high tech jungle weapons…flies through the trees at the speed of light…has sex with a primate…and, Jane is one hot, sexy, naked jungle visitor…this could be good.

And…don’t forget Tarzan must have phenomenal abs, too. Plus…it will be in a new 3D format which gives the smell of the jungle for audiences to enjoy. This way, the audience will always know and feel what Tarzan is sniffing.

Who exactly is Tarzan’s target demographic? I do not understand WB’s fascination with rebooting a franchise which probably is so outdated in today’s super hero cg marketplace.

Can some one explain this?

Dekker • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

Didn’t Shia LeBouf play Tarzan in Indiana Jones 4 already?

Fan • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

I think there’s about as much demand for this as there will be for Tin Tin. People are tired of retreads, old stories, remakes, and reboots. If you want people to part with their hard earned cash, work hard to earn it, by giving them something original. Not a tired old story that has been told a hundred times.

JW • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

I disagree completely. Tarzan is a classic story that has NEVER been done correctly. Every attempt by Hollywood has been a blasphemy. If they do it right this time, and that means following the original story as written by Edgar Rice Burroughs 100 years ago, it will be a smash hit.

Who is clamoring for a live action Tarzan? The concept was absurd enough in the 50’s -white kid raised by apes in the jungle? Really? Who wants to see that?

Delta Flash • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

What a tired bordering on depressing concept! After a somewhat promising start, this guy has just hit his knees for Hollywood cash.

One of the few concepts that depresses more than a remake of Footloose – the first installment was awful enough, albeit commercially viable – is another Tarzan movie.

P. H. Vazak • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

Been there, done that.

Honest Abe • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

You’ve got to be shitting me. Tarzan in 2011. The white man as God of the dark African jungle? The only way to make this is as a satire. What actor would put himself into this thing which was racist in the 50s. What’s it’s more acceptable now.

Genius to all involved.

Here’s a tip for Hollywood: Try original. These tired remakes and reboots have people tired of going to the movies. And that includes Thor, horrible. Trying to update these 50 year old concepts rarely works. And that goes for Superman reboot as well. The Daily Planet… I don’t think so.

Greystoke • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

This is as good an idea as GREYSTOKE back in the 80’s. That movie stunk, I’m sure this will too.

tom • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

Dear Greystoke,

I agree that Tarzan is not a franchise to reboot.

On the other hand, I totally disagree with you that Greystoke stunk…in fact, I thought it was a great take on the Tarzan story and was beautifully executed.

In fact, if WB had a trilogy based in concept like Greystoke…this ‘might’ be the only way possible to reboot Tarzan…but, it has already been done…yet, that doesn’t seem to faze Hollywood either.

Stephen Johnson • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

Torn,
I must strongly disagree with you. Go back and read the books. The part where Graystoke is in the tree with his “father ape” and the museum curator orders the ape shot is just plain insane. Changes just for change sake that made no sense at all. The ending where Tarzan returns to the forest and Jane leaves is completely contrary to the spirit of the ERB books. Again, read the books

sd • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

What ever happened to the script of Tarzan that Stephen Sommers was writing to direct?

fish@vmg-la.com • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

Remember the Tarzan series on WB? They hire a hot bigdick CK model, then kept him dressed the whole time. And set it in modern day New York FAR FAR AWAY from the jungle. So just what are Tarzan’s skills in Manhattan? Oh I guess he could’ve become an underwear model.

Loser • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

Bring in Mel Gibson to direct this one and make it R-rated, then you have a winner

i can be a pessimist too!!! • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

doomed.

they’ll have to go unknown, no one established could really pull that off nor would they want to try. craig brewer might have one film and two drafts collecting dust in a few years.

Joe • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

hey its no worse than the crap at the B.O. right now. Hangover 2- LOL, Was there even a writer ? enough said

Shaka Zulu • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

Thank God. Now James Franco can have more work.

If this movie makes a nickel, I will swan dive off the Capital Building!

B. A. Arphe • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

“Hmmm…so which of the three films do we start with?

“I don’t know. What do you think?”

“That’s why I just asked.”

“No you didn’t. I did.”

“You did?”

“Yes.”

“Oh.”

John Whorfin • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

Madness.

GJG • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

The only way a movie like this won’t suck is if “Hollywood” doesn’t make it. Let a European film company with European actors make it. Then it might not be some p.o.s boring reboot that seems to be the only thing coming out of the US film industry these days.

anon • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

Congratulations, Craig. Who knew you could find yet another movie to demean black people?

Kudos.

And I mean that.

Michael Heister • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

Maybe if they cast Queen Latifah as Jane.

And Arnold Schwarzenegger as Cheetah.

Gordon Robbins • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

Hey Anon– How does Tarzan “demean black people”? Because he is white? Or maybe you’re referring to the Waziri tribe that he helps escape captivity? They made him an honorary Waziri, and accepted him. And yes, he constantly referred to them as magnificent black warriors. Is that supposed to be demeaning somehow?
How about if you would actually READ the original stories, and then come back and give us a better idea?

JW • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

In the original books, Tarzan does harbor some prejudice against some of the black tribes. It is born strictly from what he observes though. He also has great admiration for many other blacks, so his prejudice stems from what one does rather than what one is. It must also be noted that Tarzan has a certain disdain for the white man’s civilization as well, constantly referring to it as effeminate.

prca cowboy • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

who’s gonna play a strong,physically fit,muscle type tarzan?leonardo di caprio,tom cruise,brad pitt?I seriously doubt these dudes fit the bill….di caprio is 5’3….cruise has the muscles of a toothpick….brad pitt can’t do 10 push ups!Now jane can be played by that chick who starred in johnny depp’s alice in wonderland as alice,and matter of fact,johnny depp may get away with playing tarzan….an older jane could be played by cameron diaz….ashton kucher may be able to play a younger version of tarzan….

ml • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

Considering that the original Burroughs version of Tarzan actually somewhat resembled the movie version of Wolwerine – a handsome and very dangerous man given to murderous rages during which he really kicks ass – well, if they use that in a movie I think this might actually have a chance to work.

Ollie Attias • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

The film is way over due to remake. I remember way back in the early 70’s my parents use to drop off my brother and I to the double feature every Saturday. We say all the cowboy movie’s till you can throw up. But when they showed the Tarzan movie’s they were Awesome! I can’t wait until this comes out. It will be a hit at box office.

Stephen Johnson • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

Most of the comments are unfortunate as they demonstrate people writing things they know NOTHING about. NONE of the negative comments could have made by someone who has read the original books. The comments that say no movie has ever come close to reflect the critical elements are true and do reflect people who have read the books. Most of the movies have failed due to two elements. 1. Scriptwriters madness. Meaning the feel they have to change the story to make it their own. 2. Not really understanding what made the character in the story so great. He is intelligent, learned to read English by himself by looking at the books in his father’s cabin. Later learns to speak French and English. The fact that no one has ever realized the value of making a movie true to the books has been one of the great sadness of my life. I had hoped to see an accurate movie before I die. Still waiting.

Stephen Johnson • on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 am

One last thing. Tarzan, and every other ERB book are just love stories. The critical element is that there are two people who are destined to be together since the beginning of time and nothing will keep them apart. In the Graystoke movie from the 80s at the end Tarza decides to go back to the jungle and Jane goes home. I stood up and said NO…